Social Conditions Programme

With the aim of promoting social accountability as a fundamental human right of every Malawian, the Centre for Social Concern (CFSC) will, from 2008 be conducting both Budget Tracking (Monitoring) and Social Auditing of the implementation of the newly developed Malawi's Social Protection Policy in Mchinji district. This task, which is also promoting social justice, is jointly done by the Economic Justice and Good Governance programme (with more focus on budget analysis and tracking) and the Social Conditions Research programme (with much focus on social auditing).

The Social Protection Policy in Malawi is aimed at providing social transfers to the most vulnerable members of society in Malawi, the majority of whom are from female-headed, elderly headed and child headed households; among those who live below Malawi's poverty line. Cash transfers are targeting the poorest (the ultra poor) who fail to acquire minimum daily food requirements.

Budget tracking/monitoring and social auditing will every year follow the five processes of social accountability system:

1. Planning and Resource Allocation of social protection programme in Mchinji
2. Expenditure Management of the allocated resources
3. Performance Management of the project implementers at district, community and village levels
4. Public Integrity of policy makers and project implementers
5. Role of Oversight Bodies, to ensure that all players are made accountable for their performance.

The work that CFSC carries out may be seen by clicking the links to the following areas:

Adjustment and Coping Mechanisms
Basic Needs Basket
Food Security Components
Occasional Research
Social Protection

For further information about the Social Conditions Programme carried out by CFSC please contact Christophe Boyer about Food Security Components; and Chrissie Kafundu about Basic Needs Basket, Occasional research and Social Protection.